12 Regiment, Royal Artillery, to march in Emsworth

Members of the 58 Eyres Battery, part of 12 Regiment, Royal Artillery, who are based on Thorney Island will parade through the town’s streets tomorrow morning (October 17).

Brendan Gibb-Gray, Havant Borough councillor, and Warrant Officer Stephen Woolcombe worked together to organise the second public medal parade in the town.

Mr Gibb-Gray said: “The community in Emsworth are delighted to host 12 Regiment’s Afghanistan medal parade in the town centre. It gives residents and visitors the opportunity to show their appreciation to the men and women.

“This is a family affair. It’s primarily for the soldier’s and their families and of course having it in public gives ordinary people the opportunity to get involved and show their appreciation.”

The parade follows a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan, and the soldiers will be marching through the town in front of family, friends and members of the public.

The march will begin outside the Lord Raglan pub, in Queens Street, at 10.30am and finish next to the war memorial where the campaign medal and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal will be presented by Gerald Shimbart, Mayor of Havant.

There will be music and stalls in The Square from 10am and the Parachute Regiment Band will be on hand to perform, as well as a jazz band.